Disc receiving tray and a combination of such a tray with a storage cassette

ABSTRACT

Tray (1) for receiving and retaining a rigid circular information disc (4) can be inserted into a storage cassette (28) and comprises a recess (3) and retaining means (7, 15, 16) for retaining the information disc (4) in the recess (3). The tray (1), which constitutes an easy-to-remove and easy-to-introduce insert for the storage cassette, is constructed as a drawer-type insert for a playing apparatus. The retaining means (7, 15, 16), which include one resilient retaining means (7), are arranged opposite one another on the edge of the recess (3).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an element for receiving and retaining a rigidcircular information disc, comprising a tray adapted to be inserted intoa storage cassette, which tray has a disc receiving recess and retainingmeans for retaining the information disc in the recess.

Elements of this type are disclosed in European Patent Application No. 0144 631 to which U.S. Pat. No. 4,535,888 corresponds, which elementsenable information discs to be stored in the storage cassette. Suchelements are constructed as inserts for the bottom or the lid of thestorage cassette which, like the elements themselves, isinjection-moulded plastic. The elements are difficult to remove from thebottom or the lid of the storage cassette and therefore they merelyserve to retain the information disc during storage.

Further, it is known from "Funkschau", 21/1984, page 38, to use U-shapedholders for handling optically readable digital audio discs (compactdiscs) for loading and unloading audio-disc players without touching,the information disc being clamped between the limbs of the U. When sucha holder, which may be referred to as a drawer-type insert, is used theinformation disc should first be removed from its storage cassette andinserted into the holder. A compact disc in such a holder is not easy tohandle without touching the disc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the invention to provide a solution for the problemof handling information discs when loading and unloading a player insuch a way that when the information disc is transferred from thestorage cassette into the player the disc is easier to handle and neednot be touched.

According to the invention this problem is solved in that the tray,which is constructed as an easily removable insert for the storagecassette, is adapted for use as a drawer-type insert for a player, theretaining means, including one resilient retaining means and furtherretaining means arranged opposite one another at the edge of the recess.

When the tray has been inserted the information disc is situated in thetray inside the storage cassette during storage. When it is transferredto the player only the tray has to be touched and removed from thecassette. Together with the tray the information disc is transferred tothe loading/unloading mechanism of the player. Thus the tray has twofunctions, namely retaining the information disc during storage in thestorage cassette and transferring the information disc from the cassetteinto the player without the disc being touched.

Since the information disc is retained by facing retaining meansarranged at the edge of the disc receiving recess the loading/unloadingmeachanism can release the disc from the retaining means when the trayis inserted into the player and bring the disc into the playingposition.

In an embodiment of the invention one side of the tray has a gripmember, the resilient retaining means being arranged near the gripmember and the fixed further retaining means being arranged oppositesaid resilient retaining means. The grip member enables the tray to beeasily held and inserted into the loading/unloading mechanism. Duringinsertion the information disc is released by the resilient retainingmeans which can be pushed aside by the loading/unloading mechanism.

The tray can be formed with a first aperture at the location of theresilient retaining means to ensure an easy movement of the resilientretaining means during the insertion movement. It does not lead to anincrease in height of the tray because the resilient retaining means canbe arranged near the bottom of the tray. The first aperture has anarcuate bounding wall at the side of the disc receiving recess, whichbounding wall is substantially concentric with the centre of aninformation disc to be inserted. In this way the information side of thedisc is protected because the information side of the disc can onlycontact the tray with its outer circumference during insertion into thetray. Further, this construction of the bounding wall results in areinforcement of the bottom of the receptacle. In addition, theinformation side is also protected against touching from the undersideof the recess. The arcuate bounding wall has a portion which recedestowards the centre and faces the resilient retaining means. The recedingportion yields the advantage that a pin of the loading/unloadingmechanism can penetrate this portion to urge back the resilientretaining means and thereby release the disc. A projection on theresilient retaining means is arranged in the centre of a resilientmember whose ends are secured to the grip member and the first apertureextends over the entire width and depth of the resilient member. Theresilient member then has an adequate elasticity and may be made ofplastic.

Additional spring means can support the resilient member in its centre.As the elasticity of the resilient plastic member may deteriorate, forexample at high temperatures, the spring means guarantee a satisfactorysupport and a correct return to the supporting position. Such springmeans may comprise a spring rod which is clamped in at its ends, whichis arranged behind the resilient member and which bears against theresilient member at the location of the projection on the member. Thespring rod provides a protection against a deterioration in elasticityof the plastic member and against adverse effects of high temperatures.The spring rod may be mounted at a later stage or may be embedded duringinjection-moulding of the tray. Alternatively, additional spring meansmay be constructed as resilient projections which are connected to thegrip member. Such resilient projections have the advantage that the trayand the resilient parts can all be made of the same material.

In a further embodiment of the invention the resilient member bearsagainst the bounding wall of the first aperture. The position of theprojection on the resilient member is then always accurately definedbefore insertion of the disc, so that the disc is always correctlyretained behind this projection.

A second U-shaped recess is formed in the bottom of the receptacle andhas a bell-shaped widened portion at the location of the fixed retainingmeans. The second aperture serves to enable the disc to co-operate withthe turntable of the player. The bell-shaped widened portion has theadvantage that the recording or read device of the apparatus can movewithout being obstructed by any parts of the tray.

The tray can be provided with guide strips which extend perpendicularlyto the grip member, which guide strips provide a correct guidance duringinsertion, thereby ensuring a correct cooperation with aloading/unloading mechanism of the player. The guide strips guarantee acorrect guidance during insertion into the apparatus and in additionpreclude an incorrect insertion, for example if the tray position isturned through 180°.

In another embodiment of the invention the plastic tray is formed withloading/unloading guide means. In such an embodiment further means whichfacilitate loading and unloading may readily be arranged on the tray.

The invention not only relates to the special construction of the traybut also to a combination with a storage cassette comprising a bottomand a lid. In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention,such a combination is characterized in that the lid is provided with atleast one push-up projection which pushes the tray up from the bottom atthe location of the grip member after a pivotal movement of the lidthrough more than 180°. When the lid is pivoted through more than 180°the tray is automatically pushed up at the location of the grip member,so that the grip becomes accessible. This is important because theinvention aims at providing a tray which can be used both during storageand during loading and unloading of the disc.

In a further embodiment of the invention there are provided two push-upprojections which can be pressed against abutment portions on both endsof the grip member. This construction ensures that the grip member ispushed up uniformly at both ends. In this way the tray cannot be cantedas it is pushed upwards.

In a further embodiment of the invention the grip member compriseslatching projections on both ends, which projections are engageable inhinge openings in the storage cassette, to provide a pivotal connectionof the lid to the bottom. The hinge openings serve for pivoting the lidand for receiving the latching projections to latch the tray. Thelatching projections can be arranged on elastic portions on the gripmember. The elasticity of the elastic portions facilitates removal fromand reinsertion of the tray into the storage cassette. The abutmentportions can be situated in the direct vicinity of the elastic portionson the grip member. This ensures that the push-up projections aresituated close to the latching projections when the lid is pivoted, andfacilitates the disengagement of the tray from the hinge openings.

In a further embodiment of the invention the inner surfaces of thebottom side-walls are formed with projecting portions, underneath whichportions of the guide strips are engageable to latch the tray at theside opposite the grip member. This ensures that the tray cannot fallout at the side where it is not latched by means of latchingprojections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an element constructed as a tray and of aninformation disc accomodated in this tray,

FIG. 2 shows the element in a side view as indicated by the arrow II inFIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows the element in a side view as indicated by the arrow III inFIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the element taken on the line IV--IV inFIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is an enlarged-scale sectional view of a part of the element,taken on the line V--V in FIG. 1,

FIG. 6 shows the element in a side view as indicated by the arrow VI inFIG. 1,

FIG. 7 is a plan view at the underside of the element of FIG. 1,

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the element, taken on the line VIII--VIIIin FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 shows of part of the element in a modified embodiment,

FIG. 10 shows a modified part of the element of FIG. 1 withoutinformation disc,

FIG. 11a shows a modified part of the element of FIG. 1 withoutinformation disc,

FIG. 11b shows a resilient member used in the element shown in FIG. 11a,

FIG. 12a shows a modified part of the element of FIG. 1 withoutinformation disc,

FIG. 12b shows a resilient member used in the element shown in FIG. 12a

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a combination of a storage cassette andan information-disc tray contained in this cassette,

FIG. 14 is a side view of the combination shown in FIG. 13,

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the storage cassette at the location ofthe hinge between the bottom and the lid, the lid being shown in aposition in which it is pivoted through 180° relative to the bottom,

FIG. 16 shows the hinge construction shown in FIG. 15, the lid beingshown in a position in which it is pivoted through more than 180°relative to the bottom,

FIG. 17 is a side view of a combination two stacked elements as shown inFIG. 1,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As is shown in FIG. 1, tray 1 comprises a rectangular plate with a gripmember 2 (see also FIGS. 2, 3 and 4). The plate and the grip member areinjection-moulded plastic. Preferably, the grip member has a ribbedupper surface for a better grip. The same applies to the underside ofthe tray, in particular at the location of the grip member 2. The centerof tray 1 is formed with a receptacle 3 which is slightly recessed andwhich is slightly larger in diameter than an information disc 4. In thepresent example the information disc is a Compact Disc (an opticallyreadable digital audio disc). At the edges 3a, 3b the receptacle is openin such a way that the edge of the information disc can easily begripped. Between the edge of the receptacle 3 and the grip member 2 afirst aperture 5 is formed. This first aperture 5 has a specific width.A resilient plastic member 6 is arranged in the first aperture 5 and ispreferably integral with the tray. The ends of the resilient member 6adjoin the grip member. A retaining means in the form of a projection 7is provided in the middle of the resilient member 6 and extends towardsthe centre of the tray. The projection 7 is urged inwards as a result ofthe elasticity of the resilient member. The resilient member 6 issupported by a spring rod 8 (see also FIG. 7). The spring rod 8 may bemounted at a later stage or may be embedded during injection-moulding.For subsequent mounting of the spring rod 8 insertion slots are formedin the end portions of the resilient member 6. Further, the resilientmember 6 comprises retaining portions 9 to retain the spring rod 8.Towards the receptacle 3 the aperture 5 is bounded by an arcuatebounding wall 5a. This bounding wall 5a substantially coincides with thedisc edge and has a receding portion 5b opposite the retaining means 7,which receding portion 5b extends towards the tray centre and has asubstantially rectangular shape. This receding portion 5b is engageableby a pin of the loading mechanism of a player.

As is shown in FIG. 9, the resilient support may alternatively beprovided by resilient plastic projections 10 which project from the gripmember 2 and bear against the rear of the resilient member 6.Preferably, the resilient projections 10 are integral with the tray.

FIG. 10 shows an alternative construction of the resilient member 6,which is such that when the tray contains no disc the resilient memberis urged against the arcuate bounding wall 5a by the spring rod 8, sothat the retaining means 7 is positioned accurately. After insertion ofthe disc, the member 6 is preferably clear of the bounding wall 5a. Inthe construction shown in FIG. 10, but also in the other constructions,it is advantageous if the upper side of the retaining means 7 has abevelled edge. This bevelled edge serves to facilitate insertion of thedisc 4 into the receptacle 3 and engagement of the disc behind theretaining means 7.

FIGS. 11a and 11b show an alternative in which the retaining means 7 isprovided with a blade spring 6a in its centre. The blade spring 6a is ametal spring and provides a satisfactory support for the disc even athigher temperatures. The retaining means 7 is made of plastic and ismoulded around or glued to the blade spring.

As is shown in FIGS. 12a and 12b the retaining means 7 may also beprovided with a wire spring 6b in its centre. In this respect it isadvantageous to bend the spring 6b in its centre 6c and to mount theretaining means by embedding. As another alternative a helical springmay be provided in a manner, not shown, instead of a blade spring orwire spring.

A second aperture 11 is formed at the location of the receptacle 3,which aperture is U-shaped and is widened at its ends so as to bebell-shaped at the side which is remote from the grip. Across theU-shaped aperture 11 at the side which faces the grip member 2 the trayis provided with a bridge 13. The bridge serves to improve the stabilityof the side 12. As will be apparent from FIG. 6, the bridge 13 issituated at the slightly higher level than the bottom 14 of thereceptacle 3. The bridge 13 has a lateral edge 13a which extendsupwardly and which is formed with recesses 13b and 13c.

At the location of the aperture 11 fixed retaining means in the form ofprojections 15 and 16 are arranged in such a way relative to the bottom14 that the disc 4 is clamped between the bottom 14 and the retainers15, 16. The projections 15, 16 are situated at the location of thebridge 13. The projection 16 is shown on an enlarged scale in FIG. 5.

Guide strips 17, 18 are arranged at opposed lateral edges 3a, 3b andserve to guide the tray 1 during its insertion into theloading/unloading mechanism of the player. Since the guide strips arearranged on the underside of the tray 1 they preclude an incorrectinsertion of the tray into the loading/unloading mechanism.

First loading/unloading guide means in the form of notches 19 areprovided at the location of the lateral guide strips 17, 18 and areformed by interruptions in the guide strips 17, 18. Theloading/unloading mechanism is engageable in notches 19 to insert orremove the tray. As is shown in FIG. 7, there are provided secondloading/unloading guide means in the form of hooked shaped recess 20which serve a similar purpose. Opposite the recess 20 there is provideda third loading/unloading guide means in the form of heart-shaped recess21. This third loading/unloading guide means 21, which is shown in FIG.8, serves for retaining the tray in a multi-tray holder, not shown,which operates in accordance with the push-push principle. This meansthat the tray is latched in the holder by pushing a first time and canpop out after pushing a second time. Further, there are providedgear-rack means 22 which extend in the direction of insertion and whichare adapted to cooperate with gear wheels of an insertion mechanism. Inthe bottom there are provided locating holes 23, 24. The locating hole23 is circular and the locating hole 24 is slightly elongate. Theseholes enable the tray to be positioned reliably and accurately in theplayer after the loading operation.

The underside of the grip member 2 is formed with portions 25 whichproject substantially perpendicularly from the grip member. Since theportions 25 project freely they are slightly flexible. The portions 25carry latching projections 26 (FIGS. 3 and 7) which extend outwardly.

As is shown in FIG. 3, the side 12 of the tray 1 facing the grip member2 is formed with a bevelled edge 27 which serves to facilitate insertionof the tray into a storage cassette 28 (FIGS. 13 and 14). This storagecassette 28 comprises a bottom 29 and a lid 30 which are pivotallyconnected to each other by means of a hinge 31. The hinge 31 compriseshinge openings 32 in the bottom section 29 and hinge pins 33 whichengage these openings 32 and which are arranged on limbs 30a of the lid.In the same way as the hinge pins 33 the latching projections 26 engagein the hinge openings 32 in the bottom section at the side which isremote from limbs 30a. The openings 32 thus latch the tray in the bottomsection 29 and connect the lid pivotally to the bottom.

The side walls 34 of the bottom section carry projecting portions 35underneath which the guide strips 17, 18 can engage. Thus, the tray 1 isalso connected to the bottom 29 at the side which is remote from thegrip member 2. The side walls 34 of the bottom section are also formedwith lateral openings to facilitate insertion of the information disc 4.

The inner sides of the limbs 30a carry push-up projections 36. At thelocation of the openings 32 the side walls 34 should be slightly thinnerin order not to obstruct the push-up projections 36 during the pivotalmovement. As is shown in FIG. 15, the push-up projections 36 abutagainst abutment portions 2a on the grip member 2 after a pivotalmovement through 180°, so that the grip member and hence the tray ispushed up from the bottom in the direction indicated by the arrow A inFIG. 16. Pushing up is effected when the lid 30 is pivoted through anangle of more than 180° in the direction indicated by the arrow B inFIG. 16. The grip member 2 is then easy to grip to remove the tray 1from the bottom section 29. The guide strips 17, 18 become dis-engagedfrom the projecting portions 35 during lifting. Thus, the tray 1 isreleased.

After removal of the tray with the disc 4 from the storage cassette 28,the tray can be inserted into the loading/unloading mechanism. Theretaining means 7 is then pressed back and the disc is freed.

Thus, the tray has two functions, namely to retain the information discand to assist in loading and unloading of the disc into/from the player.The tray makes it possible to replace the insert in a conventionalstorage cassette. Preferably, the tray 1 is made of a mixture ofsynthetic resins such as polycarbonate. This material ensures that thetray has a good stability.

As is shown in FIG. 17, the trays in accordance with the invention canbe stacked by adapting the geometries of the upper sides and lower sidesof the trays. The bevelled edge 27 of the first tray then adjoins thebevelled edge 2a of the grip member 2 of the second tray after the trayshave been turned through 180° relative to each other. The centralportion of the lateral edge 13a of the second tray engages the recess 5of the first tray and the lateral portions of the edge 13a engageelongate recesses 37, formed in the bottom of each tray, as is shown inFIG. 7. This precludes a displacement of the stacked trays relative toeach other.

What is claimed is:
 1. An element for receiving and retaining a rigidcircular information disc, comprising an injection molded plastic trayadapted to be inserted into a storage cassette, which tray has a discreceiving recess and retaining means for retaining the information discin the recess, characterized in that the tray, which is constructed asan easy-to-remove and easy-to-introduce insert for the storage cassette,is adapted for use as a drawer-type insert for a player, the retainingmeans including resilient retaining means and fixed retaining meansarranged opposite each other at the edge of the recess.
 2. An element asclaimed in claim 1, characterized in that one side of the tray carries agrip member, the resilient retaining means being arranged near the gripmember.
 3. An element as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that thetray is formed with a first aperture at the location of the resilientretaining means.
 4. An element as claimed in claim 3, characterized inthat at the side of the recess the first aperture has an arcuatebounding wall which is substantially concentric with the centre of aninformation disc to be inserted.
 5. An element as claimed in claim 4,characterized in that the arcuate bounding wall has a portion whichrecedes towards the centre and faces the resilient retaining means. 6.An element as claimed in any one of the claims 3 to 5, characterized inthat the resilient retaining means comprises a projection arranged inthe centre of a resilient member whose ends are secured to the gripmember and in that the first aperture extends over the entire width anddepth of the resilient member.
 7. An element as claimed in claim 6,characterized in that the resilient member is constructed as a metalspring onto which the projection is molded.
 8. An element as claimed inclaim 6, characterized in that spring means supports the resilientmember in its centre.
 9. An element as claimed in claim 8, characterizedin that the spring means comprise a spring rod, which is clamped in atits ends, which is arranged behind the resilient member and which bearsagainst the resilient member at the location of its projection.
 10. Anelement as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the spring meansare constructed as resilient projections which are connected to the gripmember.
 11. An element as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that theresilient retaining means comprises a projection arranged in the centerof a resilient member whose ends are secured to the grip member and inthat the first aperture extends over the entire width and depth of theresilient member, and the resilient member bears against the boundingwall of the first aperture.
 12. An element as claimed in claim 11,characterized in that a second aperture is formed in the bottom of therecess and has a bell-shaped widened portion at the location of thefixed retaining means, said second aperture being U-shaped.
 13. Anelement as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the tray comprisesguide strips which extend perpendicularly to the grip member, whichguide strips provide a correct guidance during insertion of the guide,thereby ensuring a correct cooperation with a loading/unloadingmechanism of the player.
 14. An element as claimed in claim 13,characterized in that the injection-moulded plastics tray is formed withloading/unloading guide means.
 15. An element as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that the tray is made of heat resistant plastic,containing mainly a polycarbonate.
 16. An element as claimed in claim 3,characterized in that a second aperture is formed in the bottom of therecess and has a bell-shaped widened portion at the location of thefixed retaining means, said second aperture being U-shaped.
 17. Anelement as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the tray comprisesguide strips which extend perpendicularly to the grip member, whichguide strips provide a correct guidance during insertion of the guide,thereby ensuring a correct cooperation with a loading/unloadingmechanism of the player.